Diana M. Lopez-Mason

November 22, 1950 – October 24, 2026

Diana Cata Lopez-Mason was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on November 22, 1950. She left us on October 24, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, with family members at her side following a seven-year struggle with cancer.

Diana spent her early years in Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, New Mexico, with her parents, Joe and Lena Cata, her sister, Dorothy, and her brother, Joseph. She moved to Albuquerque with her family when she was 6 years old.

Throughout her childhood and youth, Diana and her family frequently traveled from Albuquerque to Ohkay Owingeh. It was during these visits that she learned and appreciated the ways and traditions of the Pueblo, which she retained and cherished for the rest of her life.

Diana graduated from Sandia High School in Albuquerque. She then attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. Upon graduating in 1970, she began her lengthy career with the Indian Health Service, working initially at the Phoenix Area Office. In 1974, she transferred to the Medical Records Department of the Sells, Arizona, Indian Health Service Hospital. In 1978, Diana received a scholarship into the IHS Long Term Training Program. In this program, she attended Phoenix College, graduating in 1978 with an Associate in Arts Degree in Medical Records Technology.

At Phoenix College, she was honored for her academic achievement by being inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity for Community Colleges.

Later, while with the Indian Health Service and raising two children, Diana gained credentials as a Registered Health Information Technician and became a longtime member of the American Health Information Management Association.

Diana was instrumental in the development, implementation, training, and customer support for one of the first electronic medical records systems in the world, a system that became operational in more than 450 hospitals and clinics across America. She provided training nationwide in medical coding, data entry, and system operations and left a lasting impact and positive impression on every person whom she trained or worked alongside. Her 26-year career with the Indian Health Service, followed by 20 years with Cimarron Medical Informatics, was stellar and gained her national recognition throughout Indian Country and beyond.

Diana retired from Cimarron in 2017. She later returned to Ohkay Owingeh, where she lovingly restored and decorated her family home and enjoyed spending time with extended family and friends.

In March 2026, Diana married Bill Mason of Tucson, Arizona, a longtime friend and work colleague. Their brief marriage was highlighted by world travels, tribal celebrations, family get-togethers, and commuting between Tucson and Ohkay Owingeh. Of utmost importance to Diana were her family, her career, and her faith.

She is survived by her husband, William Mason; daughter Blevins Harness (Paul); son Quentin Lopez; grandchildren Dakota Rainey, Erika Lopez, Shilah Rainey-Croxton (Robert), Kasia Rainey, Jesse Lopez, and Simone Lopez; and great-grandchildren Novaz, Roscoe, and Naomi.

Diana’s ashes will be buried at the foot of her grandmother’s grave in the Ohkay Owingeh Cemetery.

Services will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with a Public Visitation to begin at 5:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 6:00 pm in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of De Vargas Funeral Home. 623 N Railroad Ave Espanola NM 87532

A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday November 12, 2026, at 10:00am at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church, 185 Po' Pay Avenue Ohkay Owingeh.

Burial will follow at the Ohkay Owingeh Cemetery.

The family of Diana Cata Lopez-Mason has entrusted the care of their loved one to the De Vargas Funeral Home of the Beautiful Espanola Valley 505-747-7477.